Long-Term Care 3.0 and How to Apply for Long-Term Care Subsidies? (Effective 2026)
The Ten-Year Long-Term Care Plan 3.0 was approved by the Executive Yuan on December 31, 2025, and officially took effect in 2026 (Republic of China year 115). It continues the framework of Long-Term Care 2.0, which is "community-based, people-centered, and continuous care," with the vision of "healthy aging, aging in place, and peaceful end-of-life." The application process remains unchanged: call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "1966" long-term care service hotline (Monday to Friday, 8:30–12:00 and 13:30–17:30), or contact the long-term care management center in your registered or residential city/county to apply. A care management specialist will visit your home to assess the level of disability and needs, and then based on the approved results, connect you with services and subsidies such as home care, community care, assistive devices, and respite care. The eligibility, subsidy amounts, and co-payments depend on the level of disability, family economic status, and the latest announcements. The following provides neutral conceptual and procedural information; actual eligibility and benefits are subject to announcements by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and local governments.
What's new in Long-Term Care 3.0? (Starting 2026)
Long-Term Care 3.0 continues the framework of 2.0, which is "community-based and continuous care," and expands coverage and services:
- From January 2026 (Republic of China year 115), expands coverage to include individuals of all ages with both dementia and disability, and those enrolled in post-acute integrated care
- From July 2026, adds smart technology assistive device rental with a quota of NT$60,000 every three years
- Continues home-based, community-based, institutional respite, and assistive device services, as well as the co-payment mechanism
How to apply? (Four steps)
The application process continues from Long-Term Care 2.0, with assessment and approval by a care management specialist, eliminating the need to visit multiple agencies:
- Call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "1966" long-term care service hotline, or contact the long-term care management center in your registered or residential city/county
- A care management specialist visits your home to assess the level of disability and care needs
- Based on the approved results, connect with services such as home care, day care, assistive devices, and respite care
- Calculate the subsidy amount and co-payment based on the level of disability and family economic status
Long-term care subsidies vs. residential institution fees
These are two different systems with different funding sources, often confused:
- Long-term care benefits: mainly for home-based, community-based services, and institutional respite care
- Monthly fees for residential institutions (nursing/long-term care facilities): self-paid, calculated separately
- There is also a "Subsidy for Users of Residential Service Institutions," with an annual cap of NT$120,000, eligibility subject to announcements
FAQ
How to apply for Long-Term Care 3.0/2.0 services?
You can call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "1966" long-term care service hotline (available via landline and mobile, operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30–12:00 and 13:30–17:30), or contact the long-term care management center in your registered or residential city/county to apply. After acceptance, a care management specialist will visit your home for assessment, and based on the level of disability and needs, determine the eligible service items and subsidy amounts.
What are the differences between Long-Term Care 3.0 and 2.0? What new benefits are added?
Long-Term Care 3.0 (Republic of China years 115–124) was approved by the Executive Yuan on December 31, 2025, and took effect in 2026. It continues the community-based care of 2.0 and strengthens the integration of medical and care services. In terms of benefits, starting January 1, 2026 (Republic of China year 115), the coverage expands to include individuals of all ages with both dementia and disability, as well as those enrolled in post-acute integrated care. Starting July 1, 2026, a new subsidy for smart technology assistive devices is added, with a quota of NT$60,000 every three years for rental. Actual benefit items and eligibility are subject to the latest announcements by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Who may be eligible for long-term care services?
Long-term care services primarily target individuals with disabilities who have daily care needs, including elderly persons above a certain age with disabilities, persons with dementia, persons with disabilities, and some indigenous groups. Long-Term Care 3.0 also includes individuals of all ages with both dementia and disability, and those enrolled in post-acute integrated care. Actual eligibility criteria are subject to announcements by the Ministry of Health and Welfare; it is recommended to confirm through the 1966 hotline or the long-term care management center assessment.
Are long-term care subsidies the same as residential institution fees?
No. The subsidies under Long-Term Care 3.0/2.0 are mainly for home-based, community-based services, and institutional respite care. Monthly fees for residential institutions (such as nursing homes or long-term care facilities) are separate, and some cities/counties have additional subsidies for institutional placement (care) costs for low- and middle-income elderly. The two systems and benefits are different and need to be understood separately.
Where can I check the official long-term care subsidy regulations?
You can refer to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Long-Term Care Section (1966.gov.tw) and announcements from local long-term care management centers, or call the 1966 hotline for inquiries. This website provides neutral information and does not represent the official source; actual benefits and eligibility are subject to the latest announcements by the competent authorities.
What are the commonly heard "four packages" of long-term care benefits?
The "four packages" is a colloquial term for the four major categories of benefits under Long-Term Care 2.0/3.0 based on the "Long-Term Care Payment and Reimbursement Standards": ① Care and professional services (home care, day care, family foster care, and professional services; subsidy amounts are determined by disability levels 2–8, with general households paying about 16% co-payment); ② Transportation services (transportation for medical visits or rehabilitation, subsidized based on disability level and region); ③ Assistive devices and home barrier-free environment improvements (a fixed amount every three years, e.g., wheelchairs, home modifications); ④ Respite services (to give family caregivers a break, including home-based, institutional, and day respite). Actual amounts, co-payment ratios, and eligibility vary by disability level and household economic status, and are subject to the latest announcements by the competent authorities and approval by the long-term care management center.
· This page is a neutral compilation of information for reference only, not medical, legal, tax, or admission advice. For actual regulations and services, please refer to official announcements from competent authorities and the institutions themselves.